The Co-operative Group is offering more than 100,0000 employees a free flu jab to minimise absence from colds and flu.
The staff, who work in more than 4,500 locations across the UK, will be offered the vaccination either at 42 workplace clinics or via 400 of The Co-operative Pharmacy’s branches.
The Co-operative estimates it will save at least £1 million a year if just 75% of staff take up the offer.
The inoculation, supplied by Novartis Vaccines, contains the H1N1 (swine flu) strain in line with World Health Organisation recommendations.
Wayne Lee, director of employee relations and reward at The Co-operative Group, said: “Reducing the costs and impact on business efficiency from workplace absenteeism is particularly important in these difficult economic times.
“Our leading approach to offer flu vaccinations to our staff makes business sense while improving the welfare of our employees.”
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